Maybe it's much too early in the game...
Old & Sober Member of AA
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
Maybe it's much too early in the game...
...ah, but I thought I'd ask you just the same. "What are you doin' New Year's...New Year's Eve?"
Yes...that used to be me, until about 27 years ago! Now, my NYE is much more subdued...pretty much just maybe having pizza and soda, some chip and dip, watching the ball drop on tv...if I manage to stay awake that long.
How about you?
Yes...that used to be me, until about 27 years ago! Now, my NYE is much more subdued...pretty much just maybe having pizza and soda, some chip and dip, watching the ball drop on tv...if I manage to stay awake that long.How about you?
Belgian Sheepdog Adictee
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In Today
Posts: 6,101
Well, until I became disabled....................my New Year's Eve were spent as follows:
My friend Scott is a Deputy Sheriff who always works one of the DUI check points. So on NYE his wife Karen would make up a big thermos of some exotic really good tasting coffee, give it to him, he would come pick me up about 10:30pm and off to the "Batmobile" we would go. I would then spend until about 4 or 5 in the morning writing up all the paperwork on each DUI that they got, ROFLMAO.
For years the "irony" of this alkie sitting there writing up DUI paperwork was hysterically funny to me!!!!!
Now, one of my sponsees does it. This year as in the past several, I will go across the street to my grandkids and we will wake them up about 11:30 pm so they can see the fireworks that "Daddy" and others in the neighborhood will be shooting off, and then all of us will be in bed no later than 1 a.m. lol
To some it may seem like a very DULL evening, to me it is glorious. When I was a practicing alkie all those years, I hated NYE, it was AMATEUR NIGHT, lol.
My NYE will be peaceul, calm and full of serenity. Thank you Great Spirit for helping me to find and maintain recovery all these years.
Love and hugs,
My friend Scott is a Deputy Sheriff who always works one of the DUI check points. So on NYE his wife Karen would make up a big thermos of some exotic really good tasting coffee, give it to him, he would come pick me up about 10:30pm and off to the "Batmobile" we would go. I would then spend until about 4 or 5 in the morning writing up all the paperwork on each DUI that they got, ROFLMAO.
For years the "irony" of this alkie sitting there writing up DUI paperwork was hysterically funny to me!!!!!
Now, one of my sponsees does it. This year as in the past several, I will go across the street to my grandkids and we will wake them up about 11:30 pm so they can see the fireworks that "Daddy" and others in the neighborhood will be shooting off, and then all of us will be in bed no later than 1 a.m. lol
To some it may seem like a very DULL evening, to me it is glorious. When I was a practicing alkie all those years, I hated NYE, it was AMATEUR NIGHT, lol.
My NYE will be peaceul, calm and full of serenity. Thank you Great Spirit for helping me to find and maintain recovery all these years.
Love and hugs,
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 20
We are planning a good old fashion theme party. An alcohol-free "Game Night" theme party. We will have three families and 10 kids playing table tennis, darts, board games, card games and whatever else comes into the picture. Good food and a good time to enjoy our families and friends!!
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year!!
Old & Sober Member of AA
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
Originally Posted by LT58 
We are planning a good old fashion theme party. An alcohol-free "Game Night" theme party. We will have three families and 10 kids playing table tennis, darts, board games, card games and whatever else comes into the picture. Good food and a good time to enjoy our families and friends!!
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year!!
Old & Sober Member of AA
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
I'm not much of a "party animal" anymore...only in my mind. One song I used to hate back then was "The Party's Over"; but, I must admit I still get a bit of a tingle when I hear "I Love The Night Life"...not the drinking...the dancing...'cause I did "love to boogie"! Sober and Free
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: bay area CA
Posts: 398
I am really scared about NYE. I made it through the holidays, but I had different people around me then normal NYE. Normally, we have a party, get wildly drunk, keep people around until they are sober or get a ride, then attempt sleep before the kids get up. Followed, of course, by hair of the dog the make it through the first. They say how your year will turn out is how you start it on NYE. We always thought we should start it with a party...not so for me this year.
Now...what do we do? Both my husband and I quit. I am seeking recovery, he's just quit. I am trying not to think of NYE, but I suppose better to be prepared then in ignorance. I know he'll want to invite some people over. It's hard to not attach our soberities together, but I have to remember to do this for me, not for anyone else. And if he drinks, he drinks. If he doesn't, he doesn't. It's not me...but so hard to let go.
I *know* that I can not be around my drink of choice. I just can't. I dont even go down that isle.
Personally, i want to be in bed by 8:30, once the kids are down. And I don't want to wake up until well into the first, when I can look into every hung over eye on the street and thank my HP that is isn't me.
Now...what do we do? Both my husband and I quit. I am seeking recovery, he's just quit. I am trying not to think of NYE, but I suppose better to be prepared then in ignorance. I know he'll want to invite some people over. It's hard to not attach our soberities together, but I have to remember to do this for me, not for anyone else. And if he drinks, he drinks. If he doesn't, he doesn't. It's not me...but so hard to let go.
I *know* that I can not be around my drink of choice. I just can't. I dont even go down that isle.
Personally, i want to be in bed by 8:30, once the kids are down. And I don't want to wake up until well into the first, when I can look into every hung over eye on the street and thank my HP that is isn't me.
Silly Rabbit
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 956
I'm a little freaked out about NYE too... This is the first New Year's I've been sober, so it's a little daunting. Last New Year's I had to work at 5 a.m. the next day so I just smoked a lot of herb and fell asleep. Not an option this year... I have some buddies in sobriety here, so I think I can probably find something to do, I just have a weird amount of anxiety surrounding the whole deal. I get so awkward around party holidays, like New Year's and the 4th of July. Last 4th was my first one sober, and ohhhh my GOD, I was so skittish! So I don't know, I guess I could use a suggestion or two... I don't want to be "that girl" who tags along and is kinda whatevs, but maybe that's where I'm supposed to be. I don't know. Any ideas?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 18
My husband has to work on NYE day, so I'll spend most of it alone. Not exactly sure what I'll do, but it WILL involve watching some of the movies we got for Christmas on our new TV and surround sound system.
NYE is always hard for non-drinkers. Drinkers want drinking buddies to confirm that they're okay when they're drinking, and that they really are having fun.
I don't remember many drinking NYEs that were fun for me. Quite the contrary. I remember a lot of hungover and sick NYDs, though.
That's the awesome part - not being hungover and sick. Oh, my gosh I love that!!!
NYE is always hard for non-drinkers. Drinkers want drinking buddies to confirm that they're okay when they're drinking, and that they really are having fun.
I don't remember many drinking NYEs that were fun for me. Quite the contrary. I remember a lot of hungover and sick NYDs, though.
That's the awesome part - not being hungover and sick. Oh, my gosh I love that!!!
Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 1,539
Interestingly enough, New Years eve has not been a party time for me in many, many years.
I have been an active volunteer for the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena since 1988.
SO, once again, I will be working all night "babysitting" my float, which this year will be the City of Sante Fe Springs.
Then come parade time, I will escort the float down the 5.5 mile parade route........hope you all will watch on TV, and MUCH better yet, come to town someday & watch in person!
NOTHING like seeing each float with 250,000 fresh flowers!
I have been an active volunteer for the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena since 1988.
SO, once again, I will be working all night "babysitting" my float, which this year will be the City of Sante Fe Springs.
Then come parade time, I will escort the float down the 5.5 mile parade route........hope you all will watch on TV, and MUCH better yet, come to town someday & watch in person!
NOTHING like seeing each float with 250,000 fresh flowers!
Old & Sober Member of AA
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
Brandik and Emimily...hey, gals...don't get freaked out! Think of it as just the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007...don't give a few hours so much power over you. 
One of the oldtimers used to say, "When you take alcohol away from the alcoholic, you'd better have something to replace it." In my little corner of the world that means AA meetings...sober activities with sober people. The groups here have meetings, every hour on the hour...also, lots of AA/NA dances going on.
Oh, and BTW...believe it or not, everyone does not get drunk on NYE. For those who don't drink, most communities in our area have what they call First Night street parties. I'll bet if you checked into it, there are lots of things you can do that don't involve drinking.
One of my favorite NYE memories happened 33 years ago...my husband and I took our 10 year old daughter to a Chinese restaurant...then we went to see "The Sting" with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. We left the theater about 11:30...on the way home, the church bells were ringing and sirens going off at midnight. Some little kids were out in front of their house in their pj's banging on pots and pans to beat the band!!! And, then it started to snow very lightly...the whole night could have been the corny story-line for a movie from the 50's!
Put some thought into it...and, make a favorite memory by starting a NYE tradtion of your very own.
One of the oldtimers used to say, "When you take alcohol away from the alcoholic, you'd better have something to replace it." In my little corner of the world that means AA meetings...sober activities with sober people. The groups here have meetings, every hour on the hour...also, lots of AA/NA dances going on.Oh, and BTW...believe it or not, everyone does not get drunk on NYE. For those who don't drink, most communities in our area have what they call First Night street parties. I'll bet if you checked into it, there are lots of things you can do that don't involve drinking.
One of my favorite NYE memories happened 33 years ago...my husband and I took our 10 year old daughter to a Chinese restaurant...then we went to see "The Sting" with Paul Newman and Robert Redford. We left the theater about 11:30...on the way home, the church bells were ringing and sirens going off at midnight. Some little kids were out in front of their house in their pj's banging on pots and pans to beat the band!!! And, then it started to snow very lightly...the whole night could have been the corny story-line for a movie from the 50's!
Put some thought into it...and, make a favorite memory by starting a NYE tradtion of your very own.
It's now or never.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 13
Rose Bowl!
Great idea!!!
I've been thinking about how I'll deal with NYE since I'll be sober for less than a week. I'm new to San Diego and the few people I do know in town will either be out at bars or out of town - leaving me in a tough, lonely position.
I LOVE college football, and hadn't even thought about going to the Rose Bowl. I don't know how easy it would be to get a ticket, but it's worth whatever the scalpers will be charging. So... here's my plan... I'm going to drive up to LA on NYE, check into a hotel room somewhere and get up bright and early NYD to go see the parade. That'll certainly require an early start, which is enough motivation to stay in the night prior. Then off to the game to try to find a ticket. If I can't, oh well - at least I made it through the night before.
Of course, the other night I have to get through is this Saturday. There's another game of great interest to me (Viriginia Tech vs. Georgia) and I really want to watch the game at the local sports bar that has adopted my Hokies Alumni Association. College football and beer have gone hand in hand for as long as I can remember. I want to watch the game with my fellow Hokies, but the thought of doing so in a sports bar is very daunting. However, sitting alone at home in silence and sober sounds bad too (far to easy to just go get a 12 pak and not tell a soul). I've gone back and forth on this choice, and at the moment I think I'm going to the bar and just force myself to not touch a drop. If it gets too hard, I can always leave.
Anyhow, that's my plan.... I've found that "having a plan" is the best defense again the temptation within. Of course, I'm only on day 2, but at least I'm occupying my time with things I like.
I've been thinking about how I'll deal with NYE since I'll be sober for less than a week. I'm new to San Diego and the few people I do know in town will either be out at bars or out of town - leaving me in a tough, lonely position.
I LOVE college football, and hadn't even thought about going to the Rose Bowl. I don't know how easy it would be to get a ticket, but it's worth whatever the scalpers will be charging. So... here's my plan... I'm going to drive up to LA on NYE, check into a hotel room somewhere and get up bright and early NYD to go see the parade. That'll certainly require an early start, which is enough motivation to stay in the night prior. Then off to the game to try to find a ticket. If I can't, oh well - at least I made it through the night before.
Of course, the other night I have to get through is this Saturday. There's another game of great interest to me (Viriginia Tech vs. Georgia) and I really want to watch the game at the local sports bar that has adopted my Hokies Alumni Association. College football and beer have gone hand in hand for as long as I can remember. I want to watch the game with my fellow Hokies, but the thought of doing so in a sports bar is very daunting. However, sitting alone at home in silence and sober sounds bad too (far to easy to just go get a 12 pak and not tell a soul). I've gone back and forth on this choice, and at the moment I think I'm going to the bar and just force myself to not touch a drop. If it gets too hard, I can always leave.
Anyhow, that's my plan.... I've found that "having a plan" is the best defense again the temptation within. Of course, I'm only on day 2, but at least I'm occupying my time with things I like.
Old & Sober Member of AA
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
Planning ahead is a really good idea! Is there any chance you might have a football party in your home? Too bad you haven't gotten involved with any guys from AA meetings...I'll just bet some of them are getting together to watch the games! Which, BTW, is the one thing I absolutely hate about NY Day...all those games! I like football, but enough is enough!
Anyway, good luck with your plans.
Anyway, good luck with your plans.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: LA - Lower Alabama
Posts: 5,068
I could never go to a bar, watch football, and not drink, especially the Superbowl which was always a huge drinking time for me. Last year I spent the Superbowl with some sober AA friends.
I agree with raerob, plan ahead. During our drinking years we always had the drinking occassions planned ahead right? Does our sobriety deserve any less planning?
I agree with raerob, plan ahead. During our drinking years we always had the drinking occassions planned ahead right? Does our sobriety deserve any less planning?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: in the present moment
Posts: 2,060
This New Year's Eve I will be at a 4 day yoga and Meditation retreat in the beautiful Pocono mountains. There will be much silence and releasing of the past, and alittle conscious intention-setting for the new year coming.
I enjoy this tradition. Out of the last 19 years I have done this or something similar all but 1 year. I never did like partying on New Year's once I got sober.
I enjoy this tradition. Out of the last 19 years I have done this or something similar all but 1 year. I never did like partying on New Year's once I got sober.
Old & Sober Member of AA
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Nursing Home in Brick, New Jersey
Posts: 5,174
I'm not too sure about our "designated" driver for NYE...we'd better keep a close eye on him!BTW...other than not to drink (which is a given), is anyone thinking of making any NY's resolutions?
I've made just one, since (for some reason) I've been having a craving for lobster for the past several days! Haven't had any at all for about 10 years...and have never cooked it at home...always ate it at restaurants. I am going to buy some tails over the weekend, since I've resolved not to go into 2007 still craving lobster!!!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 18
Mine is the cliched "lose weight" resolution... but it's more like an office-wide challenge. The law firm I work for is merging with another firm in a nearby town, and it was my bright idea to come up with a "Biggest Loser" weight loss challenge beginning 1/2/07. It will involve competition with lawyers who are POSITIVE they will win (poor lambs), money, and hopefully, a trip to a day spa.
Forum Leader
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Scottsdale, AZ, one big happy dysfunctional family!
Posts: 23,056
I'm taking a beautiful new friend to a sober NYE party and dance that our local intergroup is throwing, and I can't wait!!! This is my second year in sobriety and it totally ROCKS!!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
